Electric outlet-box.



G. J. DORFF. ELECTRIC OUTLET; BOX.

APPLICATION FILED DBO.24,1908.

Patented July 20, 1909.

{JONRAD J. DORFF, OF CHICAGO, ILLINDIS,-ASSIGNOR TO FREDRIC GREEK, F CHIGAGQ,

UNITED STATES reruns. orsica.

rumors.

anaemic oU'rLnw-nox.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July B0, 1009;

Application filed December 24, 1908. Serial No. 469,127.

'WlllCll the following is a specification.

This invention relates to junction or outlet boxes such as are used, in wirin buildings and intended to receive switches, use blocks, and the like; and it refers especially to the type of outlet box which is made in sections, in order that when installing the box the workman may adjust its size to accommodate the required number of switches or other devices.

One of the, objects of the invention is toprovide improved means. for conveniently and rigidly securing together the sections of such a box.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for connecting the end wall of a box-section to the sidewalls thereof.

In the aecompanyin drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view 0' a two-section outlet box embodying the features of my invention. liig. 2- is a fragmental side elevation of said ox. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a portion of the means for connecting together the sections of the box. Fig. 6 is a detail of a modified form of connection. Fig. 7 is a fragmental edge view of one of the end plates of the box. Fig. 8 is a fragment'al plan view of said end plate. Fi 9 is a fragmentary elevation of the side wa of the box. Fig. 10 illustrates/a com leted connection between said endplate an said side wall.

The sectional outlet box herein illustrated comprises two parts constituting a sin leseetion or unit box, and any desired num er of du licate sections adapted to be inter posed etween the two box-parts alluded to.

Arefers to one of said box parts and B to the other, the part B-constitutmg one end wall of a unit or single-section outlet box. C is an intermediate or spacer section. The section Acom rises the two side wall 1, the rear wall 2 and the end wall 3, the rear and side wallspreferably being integral, and

the end wall 3, being permanently attached tothe' walls 1 and 2. herein shown,the-

end wall 3 is securedxtof each of the walls *1 and: ,2 by means comprising a lug a pressed of the walls 1 01'2.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

out of the plane of the end wall, said lug being bifurcated to provide two tongues 11 adapted to enter two recesses c in the-edge of then bending or splitting the tongues'd to crowd the tongues 1) into the undercut portions of the recesses c, and riveting the outer ends of the tongues 5 against the outer faces The tongues b lying in the undercut recesses c, and the riveted tongue d prevent lateral separating movement of the end wall away from the walls 1 and 2; the tongue d lying a ainst the end wall e of the bifurcation in t e lug a prevents inward buckling of the Walls 1 or 2 and the riveted outer ends of the tongues b prevent outward buckling of said walls 1 or 2.

The box section B may be attached to or detached from the box section A by operating a single screw. Upon the opposite sides of the section B are formed rearwar'dly facing hooks 4 arran ed to lie u on the outer sides of the side wa ls of an a jacent box-section A or C, and to engage studs 5 on said side walls. The studs 5 may be pressed up from said side walls. Upon the rear edge of the box section B is a perforated ear 6 bent to lie against the inner face of the rear wall of an adjacent box-section. Each of the sectionsA andC is rovided with a screw 7 adapted to on age t e ear 6.

he section B is secured to the adjacent box section by simply slipping the hooks 4 into engagement with the studs 5, and turning the screw 7 into the. ear 6.

Each box-section C is provided with hooks 8 and a erforated ear 9 which are identical with the ooks4 and the earfi of the section B. The box is mounted in the wall or upon any other suitable support in any convenient way, asby means of t e ears 10. Claims to said cars will be made in a companion appli-. cation. a It will be seen that the box sections may be assembled to form complete boxes of any (Zaid end wall desired length, and that the sections may be taken apart or secured together without withdrawing the screws 7 and reinserting them in theiropenings, the arran ement shown re-.

sulting in a great saving time,., I

The switches, fuse blocks, or other devices to be placed in the box are supported therein, in this instance, by means 0 ears 11' having threadedv openings therein. The box-supporting cars are cut away-at l-3-to accommodate the cars 11. a Any common or preferred means may be provided 'for entering conduits into the box,

as, for example, openings 14 which are closed by plugs 15 until they are needed to receive conduits. r g

If desired, the screw 7 may bedispensed with, and a stud 16(Fig. 6) substituted there-. for, said stud being arranged to enter a erforated ear 17 upon the section B or C. lhe ear 17 may be identical with the ears 6 and 9, except of course that it need not be tapped.

mentioned section adapted tohe atthe inner side of said rear wall and receive said screw.

In an electric outlet box, in combination, .a wall having an undercut recess therein, a wall having a tongue lying in said recess and overlying the face of the recessed wall, and cooperating portions 011' said Walls arranged to prevent relative movement between said walls in one direction.

"3. In an electric outlet. box, in combina- I tion, anend Wall having a bifurcated lug thereon, and" a wall having. two recesses therein containing the bifurcated portion of said lug, the portion between said recesses being in engagement with said lug-portions.

4.:In an electric outlet box, combination, a wall having two recesses in its edge, andia wall overlying the edge oithe' other wall, the second mentioned wall'having' a bi recesses and is fixedthereinQ I furcated lug thereon whichextends into said I 5. In an electric outletv box, in .combination, an end wall having a lug thereon which is out of the plane of said .wall, said 111 being bifurcated to provide two tongues, an a wall having two undercut recesses therein to. re

ceive said'tongues, the'portion between said recesses being rlveted tooverhe said tongues,

said tongues being rivcted to overlie the face of the recessed wall, and the portion between the recesses lying against the end wall of the bifurcation in said lug.

. CONRAD J.-DORFF. Witnesses C. PA L PARKER, GEORGE L. CHINDAHL. 

